MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

As seems to happen about 3 out of every 4 games for Williams, the Ephs play with far more fire, intensity and precision in the second half than the first.  For whatever reason, it just seems to take this team awhile to get fully in the rhythm of games. 

For Williams, the key stretch was three straight VERY tough threes by Cole Teal around midway through the second half to turn a deficit into a lead, which only grew from there.  Teal's sequence of threes -- each tougher than the prior -- was badly needed for a team that couldn't get into any sort of rhythm in a slow, choppy game, and yes, had its usual handful of totally unforced TOs.  Teal finished with a dozen points, all off triples.  Williams was led by Dan Aronowitz, who was by a wide margin the best player on the court, with 25 points and 4 boards.  Kyle Scadlock overcame a slow start to finish strong (something which is typical for him, as it is for the team) to finish with 16 points, 6 boards, and 3 big blocks, including strong late game shooting from the line and a late three which basically clinched it.  Ed Flynn had a solid game inside with 8-11-3, but did have trouble dealing with Hamilton's impressive frosh center.

Hamilton does not have enough size, speed, or especially enough three point shooting.  And yet, they led Williams most of the game because they play with tremendous precision.  A lot of screens, a lot of movement without the ball.  Only 6 turnovers for the game, and shot 84 percent from the line -- remarkable for such a young team.  As jumpshot said, knowing they could not match Williams' speed or athleticism in the open court, they milked the shot clock nearly every possession resulting typically in a decent shot attempt.  All three Hamilton frosh are very impressive -- they combined for 51 of Hamilton's 63 points!  But they don't have enough help.  Stockwell is a really solid coach who has brought in a great recruiting class, with another class like this, the Conts will really be in business.  Groll is similar to Conklin from Amherst, a physical dude with a very soft touch and nice finishing moves close to the rim.  Hit one really sweet hook shot even.  Old school.  Hoffmann has a pretty stroke.  Grassley was particular impressive, he is kind of like a young Aronowitz with a good inside-outside game, athletic, can shoot 3's, and can also score some in the lane.  He'll be a handful eventually.  Nice effort by the Conts to keep this one close and very nice effort from Williams in the second half.

ON the road vs. Middlebury, one half of good play won't cut it, so hopefully the Ephs figure out a way to come out of the gates stronger. 

Interesting second half for Amherst vs. Bowdoin.  I guess Connor Green has been reading the boards because certainly he was back in form tonight! 

[jumpshot]

Eps pull out a win versus Hamilton as summarized well by Nescac1 ---in the closing minutes 3 three-pointers and 8 for 8 from the foul line.
Still, in the second half the Ephs had 6 unforced turnovers and could have used more intensity on the glass.

Hamilton is well coached and essentially played made it a half court game at the slow pace of a fraternity league game. Took high percentage shots in the lane and near the hoop. Only fast break basket by Ephs in second half from a steal at mid-court and uncontested layup.

Meanwhile, Tufts just committed a backcourt foul leading by two enabling Wesleyan to make two foul shots sending the game into overtime .... 

[nescac1]

Tufts vs. Wesleyan a classic clash of styles -- Wesleyan showing exactly how to attack Tufts' four-small lineup pounding the ball inside play after play, relentlessly.  Wesleyan's three big guys combine for 50 points and 23 boards, and the Cards kill Tufts off the glass, picking up 26 offensive boards!  Of course not many teams have three quality bigs like that, but clearly, that is the exact approach you need to take to beat a team that wants to play with only only big guy and run on every play. 

Wesleyan fortunate to win on a night when they shot below 50 percent from the line ...

[jumpshot]

So as not to leave anyone in suspense ---

Tufts turns it over down 1 in their offensive end with 14 seconds left without getting a shot. Wesleyan gives it right back to Tufts on the inbound pass, and Tufts misses a two-pointer at the buzzer enabling the Cardinals to beat their second high ranked opponent in a row....

[amh63]

Add my two bits to the Bowdoin game.  Several things happened in the 2nd half by Amherst...tougher defense, fewer turnovers and domination of the boards.  Amherst scored 56 points in the second half as Bowdoin cooled off.  Amherst had 5 players score in double figures while Bowdoin had only two...Hausman with 32 points with 9 at the foul line...only 12 in the second half.  Only 12 with a smile here.  Hausman got tired and had 4 fouls. Dawson scored all his points in the second half and Riopel came in and scored 11.  Both Dawson and Riopel did almost all their scoring off of drives.  Green was scoring inside and outside and ended up with 27, I believe.
Should note that NothingButNescac called the game well...predicting a double digit win for Amherst even with Hauseman scoring 30 points.

[amh63]

Actually went to watch the the ending of the Tufts game in Middletown.  Left with Tufts ball and a lead and time running out.  Thought Wesleyan had only themselves to blame.  Had a one point lead and missed 4...yes four foul shots in the closing minute of regulation.  Announcer mentioned that Wes was shooting 9 - 20 foul shots at the time...at home too.

[lumbercat]

A sub par effort by Bates at Conn College. A game they should have taken.
Bobcats seem out of sync, disoriented. The same look they displayed at Middlebury.
Boornazian doesn't want the ball, has become a spectator in the Bates offense- Believe he is playing hurt -different guy.

[pinseeking1]

Bates has been unable to effectively penetrate the defense for the last two games, with predictable results. While the big men (i.e., Delpeches) have been playing well defensively, the Bobcats need to do a better job of making them part of the offense. This will be especially true today at Wesleyan, assuming they play in the snowstorm.

[GoWesYoungMan]

As NESCAC1 described Wes escaped in OT vs Tufts with a relentless commitment to get the ball into the post. Ephs/Kuo/krill were a combined 20/33 from the field and when they missed they frequently were grabbing one of their combined 11 offensive boards. Despite this dominant performance inside Wes was still fortunate to win as the were again miserable from deep (3/21) and struggled in key stretches from the line (13/27). Paleschi picked up two very early fouls and went to the bench for the rest of the first half. He came out and had 18 in the first ten minutes of the second half but managed only a free throw in the last ten and OT. Pace was outstanding for tufts but picked up a costly foul with 3 sec left when he inadvertently fouled BJ Davis on a steal attempt. Davis drained both to force OT. Wes will continue to struggle if they can't find a rhythm from deep. The team that was second in 3pt % in the NESCAC is a woeful 21% in conference.

[amh63]

In the Blizzard of '16....as the newscasters are calling it....I'm hopping that the power does not go off.
Would like to see the Amherst-Colby game.  That brings up the question of no coverage of any kind out of Colby.  Anyone know the reason for that?
Seems the storm here has moved North enough to affect NYC and the CT coast. Family members event in NYC tonight has been postponed.
Catch the NBN predictions if you have not done so....good stuff.

[Bucket]

In the Blizzard of '16....as the newscasters are calling it....I'm hopping that the power does not go off.
Would like to see the Amherst-Colby game.  That brings up the question of no coverage of any kind out of Colby.  Anyone know the reason for that?
Seems the storm here has moved North enough to affect NYC and the CT coast. Family members event in NYC tonight has been postponed.
Catch the NBN predictions if you have not done so....good stuff.

Colby had an NSN broadcast of their game with Trinity last night. Are they not broadcasting today's game?

[amh63]

Bucket.....last night, on the NESCAC scoreboard, it showed NO broadcast of the Colby game...no stats either.  Therefore, my remark.  I therefore did not even check to see what Colby players contributed to the win.
I use the nescac scoreboard site to switch to different games quickly since I watch games online via hookup to my flat screen.

[Bucket]

Bucket.....last night, on the NESCAC scoreboard, it showed NO broadcast of the Colby game...no stats either.  Therefore, my remark.  I therefore did not even check to see what Colby players contributed to the win.
I use the nescac scoreboard site to switch to different games quickly since I watch games online via hookup to my flat screen.

That's strange. I accessed the broadcast through the NESCAC scoreboard. I did notice that the score on the scoreboard was not updating in real time, but there was a video link. At least there was for me!

[nescac24]

Bucket.....last night, on the NESCAC scoreboard, it showed NO broadcast of the Colby game...no stats either.  Therefore, my remark.  I therefore did not even check to see what Colby players contributed to the win.
I use the nescac scoreboard site to switch to different games quickly since I watch games online via hookup to my flat screen.

That's strange. I accessed the broadcast through the NESCAC scoreboard. I did notice that the score on the scoreboard was not updating in real time, but there was a video link. At least there was for me!

I also was able to catch the finish of the Colby-Trinity game thorough a video link on the D3hoops NESCAC scoreboard page

[booyakasha]

Same, Colby Trin was broadcast and the link accessed through the Nescac schedule